Well I finnally installed my header and 17% Pulley. The car is running great. It made a word of a difference. Thanks to Alta's 50% Off Sale. I also installed Tensioner Stop, New Belt and Colder Plugs.

I also installed a test Pipe. The CEL just turned on. I guess this is because of the Test Pipe. No have read somewhere about using 2 spark plug anti fouler. Do I have to do this to both sensors?

I also notice I tell the exhaust fumes are stronger. Is this normal? Thanks

 

Exhaust fumes will be strong as you have a test pipe and not catalytic converter.

 

Yeah, that's what catalytic converters are for. I don't think it's worth it to remove it for a Mini as the gain wouldn't be much. Plus, it hurts my head and I can't stand driving behind people that are catless. And plus the whole thing about me working to save the environment....probably wouldn't go over well where I work.


- andrew

 

Ya I think I have to put stock one back on. I bought a aftermarket that came with headers but when I shake it sound like a box of BB's. So i think the Cat broke on shipping..

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dylUxVC6GA

I have a rattle if you turn your speakers up you can hear it. Don't know what it is..

 

get a magnaflow hi-flow car from summitracing.com only about $80 and worked great for me. got a welder to put it in for me for like $30

 

Could it be the tension stop? I know my buddy installed an Alta tension stop and it made noise, not sure if it is the same noise though...

 

my exhaust rattles too ever since i installed my headers, but thats only when i put int in 1st or reverse and only when its at about the friction point. TFor me its just the heatshield rattling a little.

 

Soccer I did find what was causing exhaust rattle. It was the exhaust hangers in the center of the car. The Rubber/Metal hangers have a screw on one side and are looped through the bracket on the other. I used 2 self tappers ( 1 on each hanger and it took the exhaust rattle away. I found this out by putting car on lift and putting it in reverse. (not fully engaged) So I would try that worked like a charm.

DrSilver. I think you are right. I will take a look at that this weekend and see.

Now has anyone experience rougher idle with these mods?

Thanks for all the help and ideas.

 

Bump

Just installed a magnaflow high flow cat. I think it smoothed out the idle some..

 

what was the general consensus on power and sound by going to headers and aftermarket cat?

 

Definitely louder, power of course has a rise.

 

guys, hope you don't mind a newbie jumping right in here, but what do colder plugs do?

also do we need larger injectors?

 

Well if you get a tune its a good idea if you have larger injectors.. I am running stock injectors. I will get larger injectors before getting tune..

I Colder plugs help stop detonation from the spark plugs keeping to much heat. Here is a article about plugs http://auto.howstuffworks.com/ignition-system2.htm

now when you install a cat it must be ceramic NOT metal..

 

hey there thanks for the quicl reply.

I'm sorry, i don't follow this line though.. could you 'unpack' it a bit?

 

Cat = catalytic converter. Now these are made of 2 different materials. Steel and Ceramic.. Since mini coopers untuned run very hot so it will melt the steel cat and cause a blockage in the exhaust. Now Ceramic can handle higher levels of heat so you will be safe..

 

ah i see. thank you so very much